A Merchant navy ship, the 'Hui Long' sank in the high seas off Kirinda yesterday, but all 23 members of the crew were rescued by a passing ship, the 'Nedloyd Asia'.

Colombo Radio said the crew were being brought to Colombo by the ship that rescued them. When the SOS from the Hui Long reached Colombo radio all ships in the area were immediately alerted. The 'Nedloyd Asia', which picked up the signals, went to the rescue of the crew of the ill fated ship. However the cause of the 'Hui Long' sinking was not yet known.